Part 13: Super seniors in the community

Part 13: Super seniors in the community

These five seniors have found the secret to successful living after age 65.Photo by
Photo Illustration

■ Joe Krentz, 81: President of the B.C. chapter of the charity Canadian Food for Children, which sends food to starving children in developing and disaster-struck countries. A former dairy farmer, he became involved with the volunteer organization at age 68, via wife and fellow CFFC volunteer Loretta, now 82.

What is the secret to your vitality?: I have been very active my whole life. My view on retirement is that a person needs to keep active to remain healthy. Good food, a positive attitude, helping others and my faith in God provide me with ample energy for day-to-day tasks. Being involved with CFFC is the destination that God has presented me with, and fulfilling this role as best I can is my duty as a child of God.

Anything that surprised you about growing older?: Loretta and I didn’t make specific plans for our retirement and we just take life one day at a time. As far as being surprised about growing older, I’m surprised that I’ve made it this long!

What role do you envision seniors could and should play in our society?: The role seniors should play in our communities is one of service. If a person is healthy and financially able, they should participate in volunteer work to help and assist the less fortunate in our world.

■ Balwant Sanghera, 71: Longtime community advocate for multi­culturalism and intercultural ­harmony and against youth violence; sits on the Punjabi Language Education Association, East Richmond Community Association and the South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence.

What is the secret to your vitality?: I believe that staying active physically, mentally and socially takes on an added significance as we age. I am a strong believer in positive thinking. With proper attitude and the right frame of mind, a person can overcome any challenge. Also, serving one’s fellow human beings is one of the greatest sources of happiness, energy and fulfilment. Positive reinforcement, even by strangers, is a great motivator and energizer for me.

What role do you envision seniors playing in our society and communities?: Seniors can play a very important role by guiding the youth, supporting them along the way and mentoring them. I find working with young people to be very rewarding. Making a connection with the youth goes a long way in gaining their trust.

Is age just a number?: For me, aging has been a gradual transition. If one feels young at heart, the years don’t have much relevance. Eventually, everyone has to go through the aging process. This is a reality. So why not accept it and enjoy every moment of your life, no matter how old or young you are?

■ Lillian Zimmerman, “Over 80”: Research associate, Simon Fraser University Gerontology Centre; co-founder of the women’s studies program at Douglas College; author and researcher who specializes in issues facing older Canadian women.

What keeps you going?:

When I get right down to it, it is a deep sense of injustice. I don’t like to see people mistreated, or policies which are not adequate to their needs. So many women of my generation did exactly what they were required to — they got married, raised a family — but surprisingly a lot of older women live in poverty.

You dislike the term “senior.” Why?: It’s simply outdated. When you use the word “senior,” the picture you get is of someone on the margins of society. There is a whole new world of how older people are living their lives.

What surprised you about getting older?: First, that I’m having a good time. When I was a kid, old meant decrepit and everything awful. That’s why I’m so upset at the stereotypes of older people who don’t know which way is up or down. My 80s is one of the best decades of life.

What advice do you have for boomers?: Keep up with changes. Don’t put yourself on the margins because you don’t know what younger people are talking about.

Did anything surprise you about growing older?: Not really, no. It’s a gift from God, growing older. People think that just because you are older you have to quit. When God says quit, you quit. He gives you the runway, you stay on the runway. I look at people who are 65 today and I say to myself, they’re kids. If I was 65 today, I’d pick the world up and twist it a couple of times and put it down where I want it to be.

What is a senior?: I don’t think that word should describe anybody over 65. Some of the greatest minds in the world were 70, 75 in their heyday. They had the drive, they had the desire, they had the experience, and they used it. Why waste an asset?

What is the secret to your vitality?: I think the mind controls the body to a large degree. If you are a positive thinker, then you are going to be excited. And you are going to look forward to new things every day.

You mentor young people. What is your advice to them?: There are many young people that say, “I don’t know where I go next, or what to do next,” or “I started a business and lost all my money. I’m bankrupt.” Maybe they’re 30 years old. They’ve tried and failed. So what do they do next? They have no assets. But they have a major asset — the fact they are 30 and not 86. I tell them very simply: I’ll trade you places. I’ll give you everything I have, every dollar I have, and you make me 30 on welfare. I’d rather be 30 and start over again than 86 and coming to the end of the runway. So they leave saying, “I have a runway.” They don’t give up. That’s importa

■ Dal Richards, 93: Legendary Vancouver musician; still performs about 125 shows a year; has appeared at the PNE for 72 consecutive years; hosts a Sunday night radio show on AM 650.

What happened to retirement?: I’ve thought about it fleetingly from time to time, but I was having too much fun to seriously consider it.

What’s the secret to your vitality?:

I am blessed with good health. That’s the secret — plus the joy of performing and entertaining people. I get a lot of energy and love from the people I perform for.

What role do you envision seniors could and should play in our society?: I believe seniors can play an important role as mentors for young people. I am proud of having “discovered” some very talented young musicians who have played and sung with my band and become very successful. I am lucky to be able to share the excitement they feel as their careers develop.

In terms of performing, what do you know now that you didn’t when you were in the bloom of youth, starting out?: I’ve learned how important audiences are. You must reach out to them, earn their respect by not only entertaining them, but by relating to them. If I should fall off my perch tomorrow, I can think of no better way to have spent my life.

Only an organization like FIFA would expect a provincial government to sign a contract that FIFA’s bosses...

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.